Milling cutter

ABSTRACT

A milling cutter for machining work pieces, which comprises at least one cutting insert, fixed in a recess of the tool base and adjusted by means of an adjusting element. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2005/002351, filed on Mar. 5, 2005, which claims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 20 2004 008 642.5, filed on May 27, 2004. International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2005/002351 was pending as of the filing date of this application. The United States was an elected state in International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2005/002351.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a milling cutter, such as a surface milling cutter, for machining workpieces with at least one cutting insert which can be fixed in a recess of the tool base and adjusted by means of an adjusting element.

2. Background Information

Such a milling cutter is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,339,257, in which a number of adjustable cutting inserts are arranged and distributed on the circumference of a tool base of substantially cylindrical shape. The setting or adjustment of the cutting inserts is effected by means of a two-piece adjusting device, consisting of a sleeve-shaped adjusting wedge inserted into an adaptor hole of the tool base and having an internal thread, as well as an internal screw which can be screwed together with said adjusting wedge as well as with an internal thread of the adaptor hole. By means of the internal screw, the adjusting wedge of this two-piece adjusting element is displaced along a lateral face of a cutting tip or a cutting blade in radial direction, so that, consequently, the cutting tip is displaced in an axial direction. Such a two-piece design of an adjusting device with a sleeve-shaped adjusting wedge and a set screw guided therein is also known in the tool for metal-cutting fine machining of workpieces known from European Patent No. 1 213 081 B1.

An adjusting device for a cutting tip of a cutting tool with a one-piece set screw is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,753. In this known adjusting device, a centric or eccentric screw head of the set screw is displaced in radial direction along a conically extending lateral face of the cutting tip, so that, consequently, the cutting tip is displaced in an axial direction.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

The object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is to provide a milling cutter, such as a surface milling cutter having a simplified structure, which enables an essentially secure setting or adjustment of the cutting insert, or of each cutting insert, with essentially the simplest means as reasonably possible.

SUMMARY

The object of the present application may be accomplished in at least one possible embodiment of a milling cutter for machining work pieces, having at least one cutting insert which can conceivably be fixed in a recess of a tool base and which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting element, in which a one-piece adjusting element, having an adjusting cone extending between a screw head and a threaded shank, interacts with a conical recess formed into a lateral face of the cutting insert. For this purpose, a one-piece adjusting element with a conical screw-head portion or screw-shank portion is provided. The latter merges on the one hand into a cylindrical screw head and, on the other hand, into a threaded shank provided with a fine thread.

The adjusting cone extending between the screw head and the threaded shank and tapering towards a threaded shank conceivably interacts with the conical recess formed into a lateral face of the cutting insert, facing the adjusting element, when the cutting insert is fine-adjusted or set. In a desired position according to at least one embodiment, a surface contact exists between the adjusting cone of an adjusting element, which in the following is also referred to as a cone-fit screw, and the conical recess formed in the cutting insert.

The screw head of the cone-fit screw is guided in the cylindrical opening or guiding area of the adjusting hole formed into the tool base at a distance from the corresponding cutting insert and is located there with positive fit. The axis of the adjusting hole is inclined towards the axis of the clamping-screw hole for the cutting insert, according to at least one possible embodiment, at an angle smaller than 40°, for example from 10° to 30°, such as 12°. Through this inclined hole axis and, consequently, through the corresponding inclination of the cone-fit screw guided in the adjusting hole, it is achieved that the adjusting hole exiting in the cylindrical surface area of the tool base is formed or surrounded by material of the tool base on essentially its entire circumference, i.e. along the entire rim of the adjusting hole. In this way, a web of material remains in the area between the recess receiving the cutting insert, and the adjusting hole in the tool base, at least in the area of the head of the cone-fit screw. The width or thickness of this web of material depends on the one hand on the size of the angle of inclination of the adjusting hole to the clamping screw hole for the cutting insert and on the other hand on the angle of taper of the adjusting cone of the cone-fit screw.

According to at least one possible embodiment, the cutting insert has a longitudinal slot in the area of a passage for the clamping screw which fixes the cutting insert in the recess formed into the tool base. The longitudinal slot can be of rectilinear or curved or lentiform shape. This slot extends on both sides of the passage in a longitudinal direction of the cutting insert. According to at least one possible embodiment, in combination with a conical clamping screw, the longitudinally slotted cutting insert is expanded, when the cutting insert is fixed by means of the conical head of the clamping screw, so that the cutting insert is located in the recess with a positive and non-positive fit as well as substantially without play. In this way, it is essentially guaranteed that the centrifugal forces generated through rotation of the milling cutter are not absorbed by the clamping screw, but rather by the tool base. This is essentially guaranteed by a recess in the tool base of symmetrical or asymmetrical dovetailed design, which serves to securely hold the cutting insert. The outer profile of the cutting insert, which is adapted to the dovetailed recess and is, therefore, also dovetail-like, is configured in at least one possible embodiment with rounded interior edges.

In another possible embodiment, one of the cutting inserts arranged and distributed on the circumference of the tool base is raised as compared with the other cutting inserts, in mounted condition, protruding over the working surface of the tool base by, for example, 0.05 mm, as compared with the other cutting inserts. The raised cutting insert serves in a particularly simple and reliable manner as a marker for a first setting, the raised cutting insert constituting the first setting edge.

Further possible embodiments and developments of the milling cutter according to the present application are indicated in the dependent claims. For example, the cutting insert is provided with a chip flute or chip evacuation flute in the area of a cutting edge carried by the cutting insert in a separable or inseparable way.

At least some of the advantages achieved with at least one possible embodiment of the present application reside in the fact that the one-piece design of the adjusting element for adjusting the respective cutting insert on the tool base of a milling cutter allows a simplified and, at the same time, substantially fine or sensitive adjustment of the respective cutting edge or of the cutting insert carrying it.

The dovetailed guidance of the correspondingly conical cutting insert in a dovetailed recess in the tool base provides for a relatively precise positioning of the cutting inserts and, therefore, of the cutting edges. In addition to the positioning action, this dovetailed guidance also serves as a substantially efficient centrifugal safety device at high speeds of the milling cutter, which can in this way be increased by approximately 20% over generally standard operating speeds. Furthermore, the dovetailed guidance provides for a simplified handling of the first tipping or also of an exchange of the cutting inserts.

Thanks to the chip flutes integrated in the cutting inserts, chip deflectors executed as separate components can be essentially omitted, so that in addition to the one-piece design of the adjusting or setting device for each cutting insert, an additional reduction of the number of components can be achieved. Through the one-piece design of the adjusting element in the form of the cone-fit screw, the cutting inserts and, thus, the cutting edge, can be adjusted with relatively high precision to the micrometer by a simple turning of the cone-fit screw, which can be turned clockwise and counter-clockwise.

In addition, the number of cutting inserts and, thus, the number of cutting edges, can be increased substantially in the milling cutter according to at least one embodiment of the present application, due to the reduction of the number of components, which also results in an increase of feed and/or cutting speeds.

In another possible design, the tool base can comprise a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it. In this embodiment, the supporting ring is shrunk onto the base carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the supporting ring can be screwed onto the base carrier. According to one possible embodiment, the supporting ring is a steel ring, while the base carrier is made primarily of aluminum. Cutting inserts arranged with regular spacing on the circumference of the supporting ring can be fixed on the supporting ring also in a separable way, i.e. in recesses provided there.

The embodiment of the tool base with such a base carrier and with such a supporting ring, which is mounted or shrunk onto the base carrier and can possibly additionally be screwed onto the latter, is suitable for receiving essentially any cutting inserts, independently of the method of fixation and independently of the method of adjustment or adjustability of the cutting inserts and may, therefore, be an embodiment in itself.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present application will be described further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one possible embodiment of the present application is explained in greater detail below, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are a top view, a side view and a perspective view of a milling cutter according to at least one possible embodiment with a number of adjustable cutting inserts;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the milling cutter along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V in FIG. 1 of the cutting insert which is adjustable by means of a one-piece cone-fit screw;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the adjustable cutting insert with cone-fit screw in an exploded view and in mounted condition, respectively; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a perspective and partly sectional view and a sectional view of a two-piece tool base with a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it for receiving a number of cutting inserts.

Corresponding parts are identified with the same reference numbers in all figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

The milling cutter 1 represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 in different views comprises a tool base 2, which has the shape of a hollow cylinder, as is apparent from FIG. 4. The material of the tool base 2 can be aluminum, titanium or steel, or possibly other suitable material.

The tool base 2 carries on its lateral surface area 3 a multitude of cutting inserts 4, which are arranged with regular spacing on the outer circumference 5 of the tool base 2. The cutting inserts 4 can also be arranged with irregular spacing on the outer circumference 5 of the tool base 2. Between the cutting inserts 4, chip-deflecting flutes 6 are formed into the tool base 2 in the area of the latter's lateral surface area 3. As is relatively clearly apparent from FIG. 3, corresponding chip flutes 7, which are integrated in each cutting insert 4, run into these chip-deflecting flutes 6.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, a central passage 8 of the tool base 2 is overlapped at its opening rim 11 by a screw collar 9 of a plate-shaped fastening screw 10 passing through the passage 8. The passage 8 runs over the opening rim 11 into the covering or working surface 12 of the tool base 2. The passage 8 is configured as a stepped hole, forming a clamping face 13 on which a corresponding collar profile 14 of a screw neck 15 abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel 16. Coolant holes 17 run into this coolant channel 16, said coolant holes 17 being united in a central coolant hole 18.

During operation of the milling cutter 1, a coolant is fed through these coolant holes 17, 18 as well as through the ring-shaped coolant channel 16 to the tool or working surface 12. For this purpose, the coolant exits on the working surface 12 through a cooling gap 19 which is formed between the opening rim 11 of the passage 8 and the screw collar 9 overlapping it, and into which the coolant channel 16 runs, and, via this working surface 12, reaches the working area between cutting edges or cutting tips 20 carried by the cutting inserts 4 and the workpiece (not shown) to be machined. The width a of the cooling gap 19, according to at least one embodiment, is approximately 0.8 mm. The width a of the cooling gap 19 could be larger or smaller by tenths of a millimeter in other possible embodiments.

Instead of the central passage 8 with a separate fastening screw 10, the tool base 2 can also be executed with a one-piece adaptor shank or with a coupling.

As is relatively clearly apparent from FIG. 1, the cutting inserts 4 are guided in dovetailed recesses 21 in the tool base 2, each cutting insert 4 having an outer profile with rounded interior edges adapted to the dovetailed recess 21.

Each cutting insert 4 is fixed on the tool base 2 by means of a clamping screw 23. As is relatively clearly apparent from FIG. 6, the clamping screw 23 passes for this purpose through a corresponding clamping-screw hole 24 in the cutting insert 4. The clamping screw 23 is screwed into a clamping-screw hole 25 provided with an internal thread, in the tool base 2.

As is relatively clearly apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7, each clamping screw 23 has a conical screw head 26 whose cone 27 tapers towards the threaded shank 28 of the clamping screw 23. According to FIG. 7, the clamping screw 23 is, in the final mounted condition of the cutting insert 4, completely inserted in the passage 24 of the cutting insert 4. For an essentially secure fixing of the cutting insert 4 in the corresponding dovetailed recess 21 in the tool base 2, the cutting insert 4 is provided with a longitudinal slot 29, extending on both sides of the passage 24 of the cutting insert 4. The longitudinal slot 29 enables an expansion of the cutting insert 4 in a spreading direction 30.

When mounting the cutting insert 4 in the respective recess 21 of the tool base 2 by means of the clamping screw 23, the screw cone 27 of the clamping screw 23 expands or spreads the cutting insert 4 provided with the longitudinal slot 29, with the consequence that this cutting insert 4 is fixed essentially without play in the respective recess 21, in particular by clamping. In this way, it is essentially guaranteed that the centrifugal forces, or at least a substantial portion thereof, generated in operation through rotation of the milling cutter 1 are not absorbed by the clamping screw 23, but by the tool base 2.

The cutting insert 4 or each cutting insert 4 can be displaced in an axial direction with respect to the central, longitudinal axis of the tool base 2 in the associated recess 21 of the tool base 2 and can thus be adjusted in the desired position. Through a corresponding adjustment of the cutting insert 4, the cutting edge 20 fixed on it in a separable or inseparable way is brought into the desired position of contact with the workpiece to be machined, the adjustment or setting of the cutting insert being effected by means of a one-piece adjusting element hereinafter referred to as cone-fit screw 32.

The cone-fit screw 32 includes a cylindrical screw head or screw-head portion 32 a and, adjacent to it, an adjusting cone or adjusting-cone portion 32 b as well as, adjacent to the latter, a screw-shank portion 32 c with an external thread 33, hereinafter referred to as threaded shank. A reduced shank portion 32 d is provided on the cone-fit screw 32 between the adjusting cone 32 b tapering towards the threaded shank 32 c and the threaded shank 32 c. The head of the cone-fit screw 32 is provided with a cross recess or a multislot recess 34 to receive a handling tool.

As is relatively clearly apparent from FIG. 5, the adjusting hole 35, spaced from a recess 21 for the cutting insert 4, and the cylindrical screw-head portion 32 a of the cone-fit screw 32, screwed in, in mounted condition, are located in a corresponding guidance area 36 in the tool base 2 with a positive and, therefore, essentially precise fit. The axis 37 of the adjusting hole 35 is inclined. The guidance area 36 in the tool base 2, in which the cylindrical screw-head 32 of the cone-fit screw 32 is located, is configured as a cylindrical opening area. The axis 37 and, thus, the adjusting hole 35 is inclined to the axis 38 of the clamping-screw hole 25 by an angle α which is smaller than 40°. The angle of inclination α lies, for example, between α=10° and α=30°, and may be α=12°.

With this inclination of the cone-fit screw 32, it is in particular achieved that there is a web 39 of material in the area between the recess 21 for each cutting insert 4 and the adjusting hole 35 in the surface area 3 of the tool base 2, which is relatively apparent in particular from FIG. 2. In this way, the cone-fit screw 32 lies in the tool base 2, spaced from the cassette recess 21, with a positive fit and, therefore, with an essentially precise fit.

In the adjustment position of the cone-fit screw 32 shown in FIG. 7, the adjusting cone 32 b of the cone-fit screw 32 lies in a conical recess 40 in the lateral face 41, facing towards the cone-fit screw 32, of the cutting insert 4. In this adjustment position or essentially ideal position, a full-surface contact or surface contact of the adjusting cone 32 b in the conical recess 40 is established. The conical recess 40 on the cutting insert or on the cutting-insert cassette 4 has a full-surface contact or surface contact with the conical face or the adjusting cone 32 b of the cone-fit screw 32. When the cone-fit screw 32 is turned to the right or to the left or is fine-adjusted, it will move in a radial direction 42 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool base or body 2 inside the adjusting hole 30, with the consequence that the cutting insert 4 and the cutting edge 20 carried by it is moved or adjusted in axial direction 31.

The one-piece design of the adjusting element in the form of the cone-fit screw 32 allows to achieve a particularly fine adjustment, to the micrometer, of the cutting insert 4 and the cutting edge 20 carried by it. For this particularly precise adjustability of the cutting insert 4, particularly few components are needed. As, furthermore, the cutting insert 4 itself is already provided with a chip flute 7 in the area of each cutting edge 20, the number of components is further reduced. Altogether, this results in that the milling cutter 1, which can be used as a surface milling cutter, can be provided with a relatively large number of cutting inserts 4.

In one possible embodiment, one of the cutting inserts 4 arranged and distributed on the circumference 5 of the tool base 2 is raised as compared with the other cutting inserts 4, in mounted condition, such that the raised cutting insert 4 protrudes over the working surface 12 of the tool base 2 by approximately 0.05 mm as compared with the other cutting inserts 4. The raised cutting insert 4, identified by a marker 43 on the working surface 12, serves in a relatively simple manner as a marker for a first setting, which raised cutting insert 4 constitutes the first setting edge.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a two-piece tool base 2 with a base carrier 2 a and a supporting ring 2 b. The cross-section of the base carrier 2 a is approximately T-shaped, forming a cylindrical supporting shank 44 and a collar-like bearing or supporting ring 45 integrally connected with it. The cross-section of the supporting ring 2 b is approximately L-shaped. The base carrier 2 a comprises aluminum or other suitable material. The supporting ring 2 b is a steel ring or ring made of another suitable material.

The supporting ring 2 b is mounted on the shank 44 of the base carrier 2 a. In the mounted position illustrated, the supporting ring 2 b abuts with surface contact on the front face 46 of the bearing ring or supporting ring 45 of the base carrier 2 a. The shank 44 of the base carrier 2 a is adapted to the L-shaped profile of the supporting ring 2 b, forming a stepped bearing or collar profile 47.

The supporting ring 2 b carries on its circumference the cutting inserts 4, which are distributed with a uniform or regular spacing on the circumference of the supporting ring 2 b. The clamping screws 23 fastening the cutting inserts 4 on the tool base 2, in at least one embodiment, only extend into the supporting ring 2 b, so that the cutting inserts 4 are only held on the supporting ring 2 b. However, these clamping screws 23 may also penetrate the supporting ring 2 b and extend up to and into the base carrier 2 a. Analogously, the adjusting elements or cone-fit screws 32 are only screwed into the supporting ring 2 b. However, they can also extend up to and into the base carrier 2 a.

The supporting or steel ring 2 b is shrunk onto the base carrier 2 a and there, in at least one embodiment, onto its shank 44. Additionally or alternatively, the supporting ring 2 b can be screwed onto the base carrier 2 a. In this respect, FIG. 9 shows an axially extending fixing screw 48 which passes through a passage 49 in the base carrier 2 a and is screwed together, by means of its threaded shank 50, with an internal hole 51, having an internal thread 51, in the supporting ring 2 b. Instead of a single fixing screw 48, several such fixing screws 48 can be provided for additional or alternative fastening of the supporting ring 2 b on the base carrier 2 a.

This application relates to a milling cutter (1) for machining work pieces, which comprises at least one cutting insert (2), fixed in a recess (21) of the tool base (2) and adjusted by means of an adjusting element (32). Said adjusting element (32) is configured as a one-piece element having an adjusting cone (32 b) that extends between a screw head (32 a) and a threaded shank (32 c). Said adjusting cone (32 b) interacts with a conical recess (40) provided in a lateral face (41) of the cutting insert (4).

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a milling cutter 1 for machining workpieces, having at least one cutting insert 4 which can be fixed in a recess 21 of a tool base 2 and which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting element 32, characterized by a one-piece adjusting element 32, having an adjusting cone 32 b extending between a screw head 32 a and a threaded shank 32 c, which interacts with a conical recess 40 formed into a lateral face 41 of the cutting insert 4.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein an adjusting hole 35 spaced from the recess 21 for the cutting insert 4 and having an internal thread corresponding with the threaded shank 32 c of the adjusting element 32 and having a cylindrical opening area 36, in which the screw head 32 a of the adjusting element 32 is guided.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the axis 37 of the adjusting hole 35 is inclined to the axis 38 of a clamping-screw hole 25 for the cutting insert 4.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the inclination α of the axis 37 of the adjusting hole 35 lies between α>0° and α<40°, expediently α=20±10°, preferably α=12°.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the adjusting element 32 has a reduced shank portion 32 d between the adjusting cone 32 b and the threaded shank 32 c.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the cutting insert 4 is provided in the area of a passage 24 with a longitudinal slot 29 for a clamping screw 23.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein a conical clamping screw 23 for fixing the cutting insert 4 in the recess 21 of the tool base 2.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein a chip flute 7 is integrated in the cutting insert 4 in the area of a cutting edge 20 carried by the cutting insert 4.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein a dovetailed recess 21 in the tool base 2 for receiving the cutting insert 4.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the cutting insert 4 has an external profile with rounded interior edges 22 adapted to the dovetailed recess 21.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein a cutting insert 4 which in mounted condition is raised over the working surface 12 of the tool base 2, as compared with any other cutting insert 4.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the tool base 2 has a central passage 8 with a clamping face 13 on which a corresponding collar profile 14 of a screw neck 15 of a plate-shaped fastening screw 10 abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel 16, which runs into a cooling gap 19 formed between the opening rim 11 of the passage 10 and a screw collar 9 overlapping it.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the tool base 2 comprises a base carrier 2 a and a supporting ring 2 b mounted on it, on which the cutting insert 4 can be fixed.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the supporting ring 2 a is shrunk onto the base carrier 2 a.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the supporting ring 2 b is screwed together with the base carrier 2 a.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the base carrier 2 a is made of aluminum.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein the supporting ring 2 b is a steel ring.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a milling cutter for machining workpieces comprising: a base body having a central longitudinal axis and comprising at least one recess; said at least one recess comprising a first recess; at least one cutting insert comprising a first cutting insert; said first recess being configured to receive said first cutting insert; said first cutting insert being configured to be held in said first recess; at least one clamping screw comprising a first clamping screw; said first clamping screw being configured to clamp said first cutting insert to said base body; said first clamping screw comprising a conical screw head portion and a threaded shank portion; said screw head portion of said first clamping screw comprising a first screw head end portion and a second screw head end portion; said second screw head end portion being disposed opposite said first screw head end portion and adjacent said shank portion; said first screw head end portion being greater in diameter than said second screw head end portion; said base body having at least one hole disposed therein; said at least one hole in said base body comprising a first hole; said first hole in said base body comprising a threaded portion being configured to engage with said threaded shank portion of said first clamping screw to removably hold said first clamping screw in said first hole in said base body; said first cutting insert having a hole disposed therein; said threaded shank portion of said first clamping screw being configured to be inserted through said hole in said first cutting insert and screwed into said first clamping hole; said hole in said first cutting insert comprising a conical inner surface portion; said conical screw head portion of said first clamping screw being configured and disposed to matingly engage with said conical inner surface portion of said first cutting insert to clamp said first cutting insert to said base body upon screwing in of said threaded shank portion into said first clamping hole; at least one adjusting screw comprising a first adjusting screw; said first adjusting screw being configured and disposed to move said first cutting insert along the central longitudinal axis of said base body; said base body comprising at least one hole; said at least one hole in said base body comprising a first hole being disposed adjacent said first recess; said first hole in said base body being configured and disposed to receive and retain said first adjusting screw therein; said first adjusting screw comprising: a screw head portion; a shank portion; and a conical portion being disposed between and to connect said screw head portion and said threaded shank portion; said conical portion of said first adjusting screw comprising a first conical portion end portion and a second conical portion end portion; said second conical portion end portion being disposed opposite said first conical portion end portion and adjacent said shank portion of said first adjusting screw; said first conical portion end portion being greater in diameter than said second conical portion end portion; said first adjusting hole comprising a threaded portion and said shank portion of said first adjusting screw comprising a threaded portion, which said threaded portions being configured to engage with one another to removably hold said first adjusting screw in said first adjusting hole; said screw head portion of said first adjusting screw being configured to be engaged and rotated by a tool to screw said first adjusting screw into said first adjusting hole; said first cutting insert comprising a cutting end portion and an adjusting end portion disposed opposite said cutting end portion; said first cutting insert comprising a conical recess formed in the end face of said adjusting end portion; said conical portion of said first adjusting screw and said conical recess of said first cutting insert each having substantially equivalent conicity to permit mating thereof; and said conical portion of said first adjusting screw being configured and disposed to matingly engage with at least a substantial portion of said conical recess of said first cutting insert upon screwing in of said first adjusting screw in said first adjusting hole to move said first cutting insert along the central longitudinal axis of said base body to a desired position.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: the axis of the first adjusting hole is inclined with respect to the axis of the first clamping hole; the inclination of the axis of the first adjusting hole is one of: between >0° and <40°; 20±10°; and 12°; the first adjusting screw comprises a reduced shank portion between the conical portion and the threaded portion; the first cutting insert comprises two longitudinal slot portions extending opposite one another away from the hole in the first cutting insert; and the first cutting insert comprises a cutting edge and a chip flute disposed in the area of the cutting edge.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said first recess in said base body comprises a dovetailed recess; said first cutting insert has an external profile with rounded interior edges adapted to said first dovetailed recess; said at least one cutting insert comprises a second cutting insert; said second cutting insert, in mounted condition, is raised over the working surface of said base body as compared with at least said first cutting insert; said base body has a central passage with a clamping face on which a corresponding collar profile of a screw neck of a plate-shaped fastening screw abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel which runs into a cooling gap formed between the opening rim of the passage and a screw collar overlapping it; said base body comprises a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it, on which said at least one cutting insert can be fixed; the supporting ring is shrunk onto the base carrier; the supporting ring is screwed together with the base carrier; the base carrier is made of aluminum; and the supporting ring is a steel ring.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter a milling cutter for machining workpieces comprising: a base body; at least one cutting insert attached to said base body; at least one adjusting screw being configured and disposed to move said at least one cutting insert; said at least one adjusting screw comprising: a screw head portion; a shank portion; and a conical portion being disposed between and to connect said screw head portion and said threaded shank portion; said at least one cutting insert comprising an adjustment surface; and said conical portion of said at least one adjusting screw being configured and disposed to engage with said adjustment surface to move said at least one cutting insert.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said base body comprises at least one recess configured and disposed to receive said at least one cutting insert; and said adjustment surface of said at least one cutting insert comprises a conical recess.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said base body comprises at least one adjusting hole disposed adjacent said at least one recess in said base body; said at least one adjusting hole is configured and disposed to receive and retain said at least one adjusting screw; and said at least one adjusting hole comprises an internal thread corresponding with said threaded shank portion of said at least one adjusting screw.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: the milling cutter comprises at least one clamping screw configured to clamp said at least one cutting insert to said base body; said at least one cutting insert has a hole disposed therein configured to permit said at least one clamping screw to pass therethrough; said base body comprises at least one clamping hole disposed in said at least one recess; and said at least one clamping hole is configured and disposed to receive and retain said at least one clamping screw.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: the axis of said at least one adjusting hole is inclined with respect to the axis of said at least one clamping hole; and the inclination of the axis of said at least one adjusting hole is one of: between >0° and <40°; 20±10°; and 12°.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said at least one adjusting screw comprises a reduced shank portion between said conical portion and said threaded portion; said at least one cutting insert comprises two longitudinal slot portions extending opposite one another away from the hole in said at least one cutting insert; and said at least one cutting insert comprises a cutting edge and a chip flute disposed in the area of the cutting edge.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said at least one recess in said base body comprises a dovetailed recess; and said at least one cutting insert has an external profile with rounded interior edges adapted to said at least one dovetailed recess.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said at least one cutting insert comprises a first and a second cutting insert; said second cutting insert, in mounted condition, is raised over the working surface of said base body as compared with at least said first cutting insert; and said base body has a central passage with a clamping face on which a corresponding collar profile of a screw neck of a plate-shaped fastening screw abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel which runs into a cooling gap formed between the opening rim of the passage and a screw collar overlapping it.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the milling cutter, wherein: said base body comprises a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it, on which said at least one cutting insert can be fixed; the supporting ring is shrunk onto the base carrier; the supporting ring is screwed together with the base carrier; the base carrier is made of aluminum; and the supporting ring is a steel ring.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present application, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the present application, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, which were cited in the International Search Report dated Jul. 26, 2005, and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 1,484,207 A, European Patent No. 1213081 A, U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,484 A, U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,517 A, Japanese Patent No. 2001150218 A, U.S. Pat. No. 2002106251 A1, German Patent No. 10251922 A1, and European Patent No. 1129806 A.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, which were cited in the German Search Report dated Jun. 18, 2004, and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein as follows: German Patent No. 2505515 A1 and German Patent No. 9016048 U1.

The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 20 2004 008 642.5, filed on May 27, 2004, having inventors Xaver Spichtinger and Heinrich Manner, and DE-OS 20 2004 008 642.5 and DE-PS 20 2004 008 642.5, and International Application No. PCT/EP2005/002351, filed on Mar. 5, 2005 having WIPO Publication No. WO2005/118193 A1 and inventors Xaver Spichtinger and Heinrich Manner, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein for the purpose of correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the above corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the         specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably         following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the         Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent         and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine         quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the         technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for         interpreting the scope of the claims.         Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not         intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be         interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the present application described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the present application to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application. 

1. A milling cutter for machining workpieces comprising: a base body having a central longitudinal axis and comprising at least one recess; said at least one recess comprising a first recess; at least one cutting insert comprising a first cutting insert; said first recess being configured to receive said first cutting insert; said first cutting insert being configured to be held in said first recess; at least one clamping screw comprising a first clamping screw; said first clamping screw being configured to clamp said first cutting insert to said base body; said first clamping screw comprising a conical screw head portion and a threaded shank portion; said screw head portion of said first clamping screw comprising a first screw head end portion and a second screw head end portion; said second screw head end portion being disposed opposite said first screw head end portion and adjacent said shank portion; said first screw head end portion being greater in diameter than said second screw head end portion; said base body having at least one hole disposed therein; said at least one hole in said base body comprising a first hole; said first hole in said base body comprising a threaded portion being configured to engage with said threaded shank portion of said first clamping screw to removably hold said first clamping screw in said first hole in said base body; said first cutting insert having a hole disposed therein; said threaded shank portion of said first clamping screw being configured to be inserted through said hole in said first cutting insert and screwed into said first clamping hole; said hole in said first cutting insert comprising a conical inner surface portion; said conical screw head portion of said first clamping screw being configured and disposed to matingly engage with said conical inner surface portion of said first cutting insert to clamp said first cutting insert to said base body upon screwing in of said threaded shank portion into said first clamping hole; at least one adjusting screw comprising a first adjusting screw; said first adjusting screw being configured and disposed to move said first cutting insert along the central longitudinal axis of said base body; said base body comprising at least one hole; said at least one hole in said base body comprising a first hole being disposed adjacent said first recess; said first hole in said base body being configured and disposed to receive and retain said first adjusting screw therein; said first adjusting screw comprising: a screw head portion; a shank portion; and a conical portion being disposed between and to connect said screw head portion and said threaded shank portion; said conical portion of said first adjusting screw comprising a first conical portion end portion and a second conical portion end portion; said second conical portion end portion being disposed opposite said first conical portion end portion and adjacent said shank portion of said first adjusting screw; said first conical portion end portion being greater in diameter than said second conical portion end portion; said first adjusting hole comprising a threaded portion and said shank portion of said first adjusting screw comprising a threaded portion, which said threaded portions being configured to engage with one another to removably hold said first adjusting screw in said first adjusting hole; said screw head portion of said first adjusting screw being configured to be engaged and rotated by a tool to screw said first adjusting screw into said first adjusting hole; said first cutting insert comprising a cutting end portion and an adjusting end portion disposed opposite said cutting end portion; said first cutting insert comprising a conical recess formed in the end face of said adjusting end portion; said conical portion of said first adjusting screw and said conical recess of said first cutting insert each having substantially equivalent conicity to permit mating thereof; and said conical portion of said first adjusting screw being configured and disposed to matingly engage with at least a substantial portion of said conical recess of said first cutting insert upon screwing in of said first adjusting screw in said first adjusting hole to move said first cutting insert along the central longitudinal axis of said base body to a desired position.
 2. The milling cutter according to claim 1, wherein: the axis of the first adjusting hole is inclined with respect to the axis of the first clamping hole; the inclination of the axis of the first adjusting hole is one of: between >0° and <40°; 20±10°; and 12°; the first adjusting screw comprises a reduced shank portion between the conical portion and the threaded portion; the first cutting insert comprises two longitudinal slot portions extending opposite one another away from the hole in the first cutting insert; and the first cutting insert comprises a cutting edge and a chip flute disposed in the area of the cutting edge.
 3. The milling cutter according to claim 2, wherein: said first recess in said base body comprises a dovetailed recess; said first cutting insert has an external profile with rounded interior edges adapted to said first dovetailed recess; said at least one cutting insert comprises a second cutting insert; said second cutting insert, in mounted condition, is raised over the working surface of said base body as compared with at least said first cutting insert; said base body has a central passage with a clamping face on which a corresponding collar profile of a screw neck of a plate-shaped fastening screw abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel which runs into a cooling gap formed between the opening rim of the passage and a screw collar overlapping it; said base body comprises a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it, on which said at least one cutting insert can be fixed; the supporting ring is shrunk onto the base carrier; the supporting ring is screwed together with the base carrier; the base carrier is made of aluminum; and the supporting ring is a steel ring.
 4. A milling cutter (1) for machining workpieces, having at least one cutting insert (4) which can be fixed in a recess (21) of a tool base (2) and which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting element (32), characterized by a one-piece adjusting element (32), having an adjusting cone (32 b) extending between a screw head (32 a) and a threaded shank (32 c), which interacts with a conical recess (40) formed into a lateral face (41) of the cutting insert (4).
 5. The milling cutter according to claim 4, wherein said milling cutter comprises an adjusting hole (35) spaced from the recess (21) for the cutting insert (4) and having an internal thread corresponding with the threaded shank (32 c) of the adjusting element (32) and having a cylindrical opening area (36), in which the screw head (32 a) of the adjusting element (32) is guided.
 6. The milling cutter according to claim 5, wherein the axis (37) of the adjusting hole (35) is inclined to the axis (38) of a clamping-screw hole (25) for the cutting insert (4).
 7. The milling cutter according to claim 6, wherein the inclination (a) of the axis (37) of the adjusting hole (35) lies between α>0° and α<40°, expediently α=(20±10)°, preferably α=12°.
 8. The milling cutter according to claim 7, wherein: the adjusting element (32) has a reduced shank portion (32d) between the adjusting cone (32 b) and the threaded shank (32 c); the cutting insert (4) is provided in the area of a passage (24) with a longitudinal slot (29) for a clamping screw (23); and the milling cutter comprises a conical clamping screw (23) for fixing the cutting insert (4) in the recess (21) of the tool base (2).
 9. The milling cutter according to claim 8, wherein: a chip flute (7) is integrated in the cutting insert (4) in the area of a cutting edge (20) carried by the cutting insert (4); the milling cutter comprises a dovetailed recess (21) in the tool base (2) for receiving the cutting insert (4); and the cutting insert (4) has an external profile with rounded interior edges (22) adapted to the dovetailed recess (21).
 10. The milling cutter according to claim 9, wherein: a cutting insert (4) which in mounted condition is raised over the working surface (12) of the tool base (2), as compared with any other cutting insert (4); the tool base (2) has a central passage (8) with a clamping face (13) on which a corresponding collar profile (14) of a screw neck (15) of a plate-shaped fastening screw (10) abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel (16), which runs into a cooling gap (19) formed between the opening rim (11) of the passage (10) and a screw collar (9) overlapping it; and the tool base (2) comprises a base carrier (2 a) and a supporting ring (2 b) mounted on it, on which the cutting insert (4) can be fixed.
 11. The Milling cutter according to claim 10, wherein: the supporting ring (2 a) is shrunk onto the base carrier (2 a); the supporting ring (2 b) is screwed together with the base carrier (2 a); the base carrier (2 a) is made of aluminum; and the supporting ring (2 b) is a steel ring.
 12. A milling cutter for machining workpieces comprising: a base body; at least one cutting insert attached to said base body; at least one adjusting screw being configured and disposed to move said at least one cutting insert; said at least one adjusting screw comprising: a screw head portion; a shank portion; and a conical portion being disposed between and to connect said screw head portion and said threaded shank portion; said at least one cutting insert comprising an adjustment surface; and said conical portion of said at least one adjusting screw being configured and disposed to engage with said adjustment surface to move said at least one cutting insert.
 13. The milling cutter according to claim 12, wherein: said base body comprises at least one recess configured and disposed to receive said at least one cutting insert; and said adjustment surface of said at least one cutting insert comprises a conical recess.
 14. The milling cutter according to claim 13, wherein: said base body comprises at least one adjusting hole disposed adjacent said at least one recess in said base body; said at least one adjusting hole is configured and disposed to receive and retain said at least one adjusting screw; and said at least one adjusting hole comprises an internal thread corresponding with said threaded shank portion of said at least one adjusting screw.
 15. The milling cutter according to claim 14, wherein: the milling cutter comprises at least one clamping screw configured to clamp said at least one cutting insert to said base body; said at least one cutting insert has a hole disposed therein configured to permit said at least one clamping screw to pass therethrough; said base body comprises at least one clamping hole disposed in said at least one recess; and said at least one clamping hole is configured and disposed to receive and retain said at least one clamping screw.
 16. The milling cutter according to claim 15, wherein: the axis of said at least one adjusting hole is inclined with respect to the axis of said at least one clamping hole; and the inclination of the axis of said at least one adjusting hole is one of: between >0° and <40°; 20±10°; and 12°.
 17. The milling cutter according to claim 16, wherein: said at least one adjusting screw comprises a reduced shank portion between said conical portion and said threaded portion; said at least one cutting insert comprises two longitudinal slot portions extending opposite one another away from the hole in said at least one cutting insert; and said at least one cutting insert comprises a cutting edge and a chip flute disposed in the area of the cutting edge.
 18. The milling cutter according to claim 17, wherein: said at least one recess in said base body comprises a dovetailed recess; and said at least one cutting insert has an external profile with rounded interior edges adapted to said at least one dovetailed recess.
 19. The milling cutter according to claim 18, wherein: said at least one cutting insert comprises a first and a second cutting insert; said second cutting insert, in mounted condition, is raised over the working surface of said base body as compared with at least said first cutting insert; and said base body has a central passage with a clamping face on which a corresponding collar profile of a screw neck of a plate-shaped fastening screw abuts, forming a ring-shaped coolant channel which runs into a cooling gap formed between the opening rim of the passage and a screw collar overlapping it.
 20. The milling cutter according to claim 19, wherein: said base body comprises a base carrier and a supporting ring mounted on it, on which said at least one cutting insert can be fixed; the supporting ring is shrunk onto the base carrier; the supporting ring is screwed together with the base carrier; the base carrier is made of aluminum; and the supporting ring is a steel ring. 